Probable cause found for charges of sexual misconduct

ANDERSON - A judge found probable cause Friday to proceed with the charges against a former Cub Scout leader from Anderson who is accused of sexual misconduct with three young girls.

Milton Jeffery Putnam, 47, was arrested Aug. 2. He is being held without bail at the Anderson County Detention Center on one charge of criminal sexual conduct and two charges of committing or attempting lewd acts against children.

The charges involve offenses that Putnam allegedly committed in 2008, 2009 and May of this year, according to arrest warrants. The charges involve two girls under the age of 16 who used to live near Putnam and a 7-year-old relative of Putman.

Putnam's attorney, Anderson lawyer Druanne White, said during a hearing Friday that the charges against her client may be related to a bitter divorce and custody dispute involving Putnam and his ex-wife, Melissa Putnam.

White noted that none of the girls involved in the case came forward with their allegations until after Putnam was awarded primary custody of his 10-year-old son in June. In a decree ending the couple's eight-year marriage, a judge also ordered Melissa Putnam to pay $400 per month in child support, court records show.

According to court records, Melissa Putnam regained custody of her son last month after Milton Putnam's arrest.

At Friday's hearing, White also questioned whether Milton Putnam's actions with two of the young girls met the threshold of criminal behavior.

She acknowledged that Putnam kissed his 7-year-old relative, but not in an inappropriate manner. White also said one of the charges stemmed from an incident in which Putnam fell asleep on a couch with another girl while adults were present.

Putnam, a longtime employee of Cromer Food Services, previously served as one of the leaders of Cub Scout Pack No. 3041, which meets at First Presbyterian Church in Anderson. He was dismissed from his scouting position after being arrested.